February 4, 2012

This Week in Politics: Taxes Go Up, Taxes Go Down

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by Ben Wilcox This week the poli-talk was about tax hikes in Rockland, tax cuts in New York, the Tappan Zee and the end of the War in Iraq. The 2012 Rockland County budget will include higher taxes and fewer county employees. The average homeowner owner will pay $175 more in property taxes. … [Read more...]

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Real Tax Relief For NYS Families

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by David Carlucci, NYS Senator (D- Rockland) Last week I proudly voted for common sense legislation that will put more money in the pockets of middle class families, as well as eliminate or substantially reduce the job-killing MTA payroll tax for Rockland and Orange counties’ small … [Read more...]

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New York State Legislature Passes Tax Reform

New York State Capitol, Albany, NY

by Cliff Weathers Albany, Dec 8 -- Almost in the blink of an eye, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo called for tax-code reform, got support from key State Senate Republicans, and had his plan approved in a marathon legislative session. Late Wednesday night, the Republican controlled NYS Senate … [Read more...]

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New York: Tax The Rich! (a little bit less)

New York State Capitol, Albany, NY

by Dave Zornow Albany, Dec 7 -- Depending on how you see things, the proposed replacement for New York State's millionaire's tax is a huge victory for income distribution and fairness, a giant flip-flop by the governor, or a chance for the really rich to get away without paying their fair share. … [Read more...]

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Frustrated Residents Vent Concerns At County Budget Hearing

Rockland County Legislature Seal

by Cliff Weathers The collective frustration of residents reached a boiling point at the Rockland County Legislature budget hearing on Tuesday night. Dozens picketed outside and another 400 spilled into the halls of the Allison-Parris County Office Building's auditorium. Scores of people … [Read more...]

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Contentious Tues Rock Co Budget Hearing

Rockland County Legislature Seal

by Cliff Weathers Now that County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef has proposed a too-little-too-late austerity budget, which slashes funding for non-profits, veterans, and vital county-provided services, the public outcry is about to reach a crescendo. Frustrated county residents are about to … [Read more...]

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Orangetown Council Votes No on Overriding Tax Cap

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by Beth Riso Thirty people made a difference last week saving thousands of dollars for thousands of Orangetown taxpayers. The Orangetown Town Council, which had been set to over-ride Governor Cuomo's two percent tax cap approved last July, abruptly turned about face and voted No after a … [Read more...]

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Taxation Without Transportation: Tappan Zee II

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by John Shields As Rockland County residents, we pay an  MTA tax. But we don't have any MTA service in the county. To paraphrase our founding fathers, it's TAXATION WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION. The promise of mass transit -- a return on our MTA investment which mostly supports adjacent counties … [Read more...]

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Legislature Says $11.4M Rock Co Transfer Was Illegal

Rockland County Legislature Seal

by Dave Zornow The Rockland County Legislature says the county's finance commissioner  violated New York State law and is asking the state comptroller to reverse a $11.4 million funds transfer the executive branch made for compensated absences of vacation and holiday pay. Rockland County … [Read more...]

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The Home Tome: Mortgages And Me

The Home Tome

by Jocelyn Jane Cox Great news! We now have only 29 years left on our 30 year mortgage! We have been in our house for one year, which means that we have paid exactly .0000000000000000000000042 percent of the principle on our loan. Please hold your applause. As most new homeowners can attest, … [Read more...]

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